Fox 8-Cleveland opens broadcast studio in heart of campus

07/25/2012

Fox 8 News reporter David Nethers in the station's new studio in UA's School of Communication. Nethers is a graduate of The University of Akron.

In an innovative arrangement that provides television reporters with easy access to experts across many fields of interest, Fox 8-Cleveland is opening a new bureau on the campus of The University of Akron.

Moving into a studio in the UA School of Communication, the station will be able to broadcast live and provide an educational experience to students who can observe first-hand the delivery of news by reporters and videographers and even contribute to the news-gathering process.

“The studio provides us a more central location, with easier access to news breaking out of Akron and surrounding cities,” says Greg Easterly, president and general manager of Fox 8. “In addition, there are so many scholars on the university campus—political analysts, lawyers, scientists, engineers, specialists in education, health and psychology—professionals who can help us inform our viewers and will be more easily available to our reporters.”

First story filed from new bureau is about UA

The School of Communication at UA is home to more than one thousand students majoring in media and communications studies, with a thriving graduate program and opportunities to concentrate in interpersonal communications, journalism, mass media and production, public relations and organizational communication.

“Students gain a liberal arts education combined with professional and practical experience that prepares them for a globally competitive world,” says Elizabeth Graham, Ph.D, Director and Professor, UA School of Communication.

“The presence of Fox 8 News is a welcome addition to the media operation in Kolbe Hall, which is the home of an Emmy award-winning student operated television station (Z-TV), a top-rated student run radio station (WZIP-FM), and the prize-winning student newspaper (The Buchtelite)," Graham said. "The media platforms offer students a seamless marriage of academic coursework with hands-on skill development.”

Qualified students will be eligible to receive internship experience, working with Fox 8 Cleveland reporters and editors to prepare stories for the station’s website.

“We are excited to be able to provide some real-life reporting experiences for the next generation of journalists and for those students going into fields like public relations who need to understand what journalism is all about,” says Easterly.